Montana School Climate Policy

 

Montana has 402 school districts and 826 schools. During the 2020-2021 school year, there were 101,120 students enrolled in K-12 public schools. About 45% of students are eligible for free or reduced price lunch in Montana. There is no policy that names a school climate measure like a survey, but the other policies that Montana has specify certain aspects of school climate. The policies include those addressing bullying prevention, school safety plans, positive behavior supports, suicide prevention, mental health services, family engagement, community service education, and special education.

 

Safety

There is currently no policy surrounding School Climate in Montana. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center

10.55.701 Bullying Harassment and Intimidation Policy:

Each school district shall make available to the staff and public policies addressing bullying, hazing, intimidation, and harassment of students and meeting the requirements in ARM 10.55.719.

10.55.801:

The local board of trustees shall develop policies, procedures, and rules that respect the rights of all learners, promote an awareness of and concern for the well-being of others, and address bullying, intimidation, and harassment of students and school personnel.

https://statepolicies.nasbe.org/health/categories/social-emotional-climate/bullying-harassment-and-intimidation-policy/montana

10.55.719  Bullying Policy—Consequences:

Each district’s policies and procedures must include at a minimum a disciplinary procedure establishing the consequences for students found to have committed behavior prohibited.

https://statepolicies.nasbe.org/health/categories/social-emotional-climate/bullying-policy-consequences/montana


Who does this protect? Students, minorities

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

20-1-401 School Safety Plans:

Local entities are required to periodically create safety plans.

  • There should be 8 disaster/hazard drills annually.
  • School security personnel, other employees, concealed carry permit holders are not explicitly authorized to possess weapons in school.

https://c0arw235.caspio.com/dp/b7f93000c2d5ebbb8c0942df8403?st=Montana


Who does this protect? Students, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

 

37.87.1802 Multi-tiered Positive Behavior Supports:

The school must describe the implementation of a school-wide positive behavior intervention and support program.

https://statepolicies.nasbe.org/health/categories/social-emotional-climate/multi-tiered-positive-behavior-supports/montana

10.55.701 Suicide Prevention Policy:

Each school district shall make available to the staff and public a policy, procedure, or plan addressing suicide prevention and response as outlined in 10.55.720.

  • A local board of trustees shall establish policies, procedures, or plans related to suicide prevention and response.

https://statepolicies.nasbe.org/health/categories/counseling-psychological-and-social-services/suicide-prevention-policy/montana

37.106.1956 School-based or School-linked Mental Health Services:

The CSCT program must be able to provide the services like behavioral intervention and family therapy, as clinically indicated, to youth.

https://statepolicies.nasbe.org/health/categories/counseling-psychological-and-social-services/school-based-or-school-linked-mental-health-services/montana


Who does this protect? Students, school community and staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Teaching/Learning

 

10.55.801: Family Engagement Plans:

The local board of trustees shall provide programs and services that meet the needs of students which the school has identified as at-risk, encourage the active involvement of parents, families, and guardians in their children’s education and in their school and provide opportunities for parents, families, guardians, educators, and members of the community to take active roles in developing and reviewing district and school educational goals.

https://statepolicies.nasbe.org/health/categories/family-engagement/family-engagement-plans/montana


Who does this protect? Students, students with disabilities

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

10.55.701 Community Service Education—Service Learning:

State agencies are responsible for developing and implementing community service opportunities consistent with the mission and functions of each agency

https://statepolicies.nasbe.org/health/categories/community-involvement/community-service-education-service-learning/montana


Who does this protect? Students, community, teachers and parents

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Interpersonal Relationships

 

10.55.701 Family Engagement Plans:

The local board of trustees shall offer programs and services which, in content and presentation, endeavor to be free of stereotyping in terms of age, sex, religion, race, origin, or handicapping condition

 

https://statepolicies.nasbe.org/health/categories/family-engagement/family-engagement-plans/montana

There is no current policy surrounding social support for adults in the state of  Montana. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center


Who does this protect? Staff, Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

There is no current policy surrounding social support for students in the state of  Montana. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center


Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Institutional Environment

10.55.701 Board of trustees:

School district shall make available to the staff and public families actively participate in the life of the school and feel welcomed, valued, and connected to each other, to school staff, and to what students are learning and doing in class etc..

10.55.801 School Climate:

Local board of trustees shall encourage the active involvement of parents, families, and guardians in their children’s education and in their school.

https://statepolicies.nasbe.org/health/categories/family-engagement/family-engagement-plans/montana


Who does this protect? Family, Student

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

10.55.721 Hazard and Emergency Plans:

A local board of trustees shall adopt a policy addressing a school safety plan or emergency operations plan.

https://statepolicies.nasbe.org/health/categories/physical-environment/security-and-safety-assessments/montana

20.9.236 Transfer of funds – improvements to school safety and security:

A school district may transfer state or local revenue from any budgeted or non budgeted fund to its building reserve fund to planning for improvements to and maintenance of school and student safety.

https://statepolicies.nasbe.org/health/categories/physical-environment/safety-and-security-partnerships/montana

10.55.908 School Facilities: 

  • (1) School facilities shall be constructed, maintained, and supervised in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal codes, regulations, and laws.
  • (2) School facilities shall be of sufficient size and arrangement to meet all programs’ educational goals.
  • (3) The local board of trustees shall provide for educational facilities which are functional and safe for the conduct of the educational and extracurricular activities of students, and which will meet federal accessibility standards.
  • (4) The school shall provide the necessary equipment for first aid.
  • (5) When the local board of trustees considers major remodeling or building a facility, it shall seek facility expertise in all affected program areas as well as comments from faculty, students, and community.
  • (6) The local board of trustees shall have a written policy that defines the use of school facilities and resources.

http://mtrules.org/gateway/ruleno.asp?RN=10%2E55%2E908


Who does this protect? Students, staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Administrative Rules of Montana, Chapter 10.16: Special education:

Set of rules and policies protecting and addressing those with special needs.

https://rules.mt.gov/gateway/ChapterHome.asp?Chapter=10%2E16

Social Media

 

There is currently no policy surrounding social media in the state of Montana. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center

10.58.705 School principals, supervisors, and curriculum directors:

  • The program requires that successful candidates:
    • facilitate the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a school or district vision of learning supported by the school community.
    • collaboratively develop, implement, and promote a commitment to a shared vision and mission integrated throughout the school system through communication skills, including listening to multiple audiences, knowledge of school staff, and aligning decisions with organizational vision.

https://rules.mt.gov/gateway/RuleNo.asp?RN=10%2E58%2E705

10.55.714 Professional development:

  • Defines professional development and it’s parameters

Teachers and specialists shall annually complete professional development pursuant to the requirements of 20-1-304 and 20-4-304, MCA, including a minimum of three pupil instruction related:

  • (PIR) days dedicated exclusively to professional development.
  • The local board of trustees shall establish an advisory committee to evaluate the school district’s current school year professional development plan; and develop and recommend a plan for the subsequent school year.

http://www.mtrules.org/gateway/ruleno.asp?RN=10.55.714

 

Sources include: nasbe.org and childtrends.org